Made in Queensland (MIQ) is a $40 million Queensland Government initiative supporting our small to medium sized manufacturers to become more internationally competitive and adopt innovative processes and technologies, complementing the updated Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan. Eligible manufacturing businesses can apply for grants of between $50,000 and $2.5 million to help them become more productive, grow, innovate and create knowledge-based jobs for the future.
The MIQ program was launched in early 2017. Round 1 generated significant interest with 125 expressions of interest received, and from those businesses, 53 grants approved totaling $18.2 million in funding. Round 2 applications closed in August 2018.
Round 2 - Guidelines for applicants
Download the round 2 - guidelines for applicants (
223 KB).
Success stories
Packer Leather
Packer Leather Pty Ltd is a fifth-generation family business based in Narangba. Established in 1891, the company is internationally-recognised as a leading supplier of custom-made performance leather and was named Queensland’s Exporter of the Year in 2015. Through the company’s research and delivery capabilities, their leather products can be customised by colour, finish and technical attributes, tailored to suit specialised applications. Exporting over 250,000 square metres of performance leather annually, they supply a large range of global brands.
Packer Leather was awarded a Made In Queensland grant to install an advanced manufacturing system, automated batching system and a rapid pattern press to reduce production and prototyping lead times whilst maintaining product quality. The Queensland Government grant has enabled the company to invest in the latest manufacturing equipment technology to support their export growth, improve energy efficiencies, train and retain highly-skilled staff and importantly, maintaining exceptional product quality.
Urban Turf Solutions
Based on the Gold Coast, Urban Turf Solutions is Queensland’s only synthetic grass manufacturer, and the only privately-owned producer in Australia. Specialising in research, design and manufacture of more than 40 varieties of high quality, synthetic turf, their product has an extensive range of applications, from sporting fields, backyards to playgrounds.
Recently awarded a Queensland Government Made in Queensland grant, the company is upgrading their machinery, installing a tufting machine to increase speed, capacity, relatability and product consistency, while concurrently reducing waste and operational downtime. Their new equipment and integrated software will significantly expand Urban Turf Solutions’ production capacity and facilitate growth of their workforce to meet increased demand for their niche turf products.
Pixie Ice Cream
Pixie Ice Cream is a large-scale manufacturer of premium ice creams based in Toowoomba, producing superior ice cream using rich, Darling Downs milk and supporting other local industries where possible. After receiving support through the Made In Queensland grant program, the company has implemented significant technology upgrades, enabling them to become more internationally-competitive.
Their grant has been used to install automated collation and boxing equipment in their facility, resulting in significant cost savings and increased operational efficiencies, enabling Pixie to increase their format offering in order to help with market-entries in to Asia-Pacific markets. While efficiencies have improved, this new technology and automation will not negatively impact employment. The company is in fact increasing its workforce in combination with upskilling the team with industry recognised training to meet increased demand and enhanced export opportunities.